Metabolism and temperature regulation in Marsupials with particular reference to the potoroo, potorous tridactylus apicalis Gould.

TL;DRAbstract

In an attempt to clarify aspects of thermoregulation and metabolism in marsupials a detailed investigation was made of the potoroo. Measurements of activity, oxygen consumption, creatinine excretion and total urinary nitrogen excretion of potoroos were made over 24 hour periods at a range of environmental temperatures. Basal oxygen consumption was in agreement with previous observations which have been made on this and other marsupial species, while the rate of creatinine excretion appeared to be higher than in other marsupials. Nitrogen metabolism did not appear to be related to ambient temperature or total oxygen consumed. Total serum thyroxine (TT4) and effective thyroxine ratio (ETR) were measured in 12 potoroos. Although TT4 was low compared with eutherians, the ETR suggested that free thyroxine concentrations were equivalent to normal human levels. Using a barometric technique tidal volume (VT), minute volume (VE), respiratory frequency (f) and respiratory evaporative heat loss (

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